Creative Workspaces

Being creative in a dingy hovel with people shouting at you is probably
not the best environment to encourage optimal creativity. In practice, you
need a range of measures to help this fragile flower bloom.

The working space

Environments which are dirty, cramped, uncomfortable and noisy are not the
best for encouraging creative thinking. If we can design our general working
environment with care and concern

Comfort

A comfortable environment helps people forget about how uncomfortable they
are and focus on the work at hand. Ergonomic chairs and desks. Good lighting.
Clean and bright walls. Warm colors. Soft carpets. These and more help to create
a sense of comfort. They also signal that our employers care about us, and hence
motivate us further to extend ourselves in our work.

Things should not be too comfortable, however, and much creative work is done
in remarkably rough surroundings. People who are too relaxed, and especially if
they have too little stimulation (as below) can get lazy and demotivated.

Nature

There is a thing about natural environments that relaxes us and helps us stay
happy. When we are on holidays, many of us spend much more time out of doors.
Just look at the parks in city centres at lunchtime, full of people playing and
dreaming.

Daylight is a key factor in keeping people positively engaged. There is a
higher level of suicides in northern climes during the winter periods of limited
daylight. There are some arguments that windows can have negative effects, and
views out of the window can indeed be a distraction. But they can also provide
sources of stimulation and relaxed moments. Better than one window is two, as
described by architect Christopher Alexander, in his Pattern Language.
Light from two directions reduces shadows. Further, if you can get it, a glass
roof floods the room with natural light (and also removes the 'distraction' of
outside views).

Plants can help as well. Having greenery around the office does more than
remove some of the carbon dioxide. They break up the straight lines, stimulating
our eyes. They also remind us of being outside and help to create a more natural
environment. Buildings without plants in them appear cold and sterile, and
encourage thinking to match.

Stimulation

As humans, we all need a certain amount of
stimulation, and the environment can help to provide this. If our minds are
kept active and fit then they will be ready to be called on when we need
creative thought.

One thing that keeps our minds stimulated and busy is difference.
Rather than straight lines, same colors and same desks everywhere, break things
up with different color schemes, curves and texture changes. A well-designed
building is both easily navigable and subconsciously stimulating.

Another stimulation can be found in pictures and photographs. Rather than
vague 'corporate art' (which is still better than blank walls), curious and
challenging pictures help to make people think a little further. Changing the
pictures is important too. The same face on the wall month in and month out is
soon ignored.

The thinking room

A thinking room is a place which is deliberately designed to encourage people
to think, and the comments above apply even more so to this space.

A different place

One way of relaxing people and helping them to think differently is to create
an environment that is more like home than work. Armchairs, low tables, bowls of
fruit, carpets. Even mock fireplaces and window frames can all say 'think
differently here!'

If you can, a series of different places can provide variation to keep the
mind going as it becomes accustomed to the same environment. You can have a
playroom with bean bags, a hunting lodge, a 'white room' where you can scribble
on the walls, and so on.

Provide appropriate drinks and food. Coffee, tea, juice, water. Alcohol may or may not be
appropriate. Food at any time as well as appropriate times. Generally try to
avoid heavy food: fruit and light nibbles are good. A kitchen where people can
make their own food (and also gather and chat) is helpful.

Random stimulation

Include materials that can be used for random stimulation, either
deliberately or accidentally.

Magazines: a very mixed set of journals, from trade journals to children's
comics to gossip rags. Even magazines that may be somewhat controversial -
though it's probably best to stop this side of offensive (your culture will
dictate this).

Newspapers: Local, national and international newspapers. Include tabloids as
well as the more serious press.

Books: An assortment of books, including books on creativity,
politics, art.

Music: Some people find music helpful. You can play it loud to
create introductory stimulation. You can play it softly in the background.
Natural sounds, such as of the sea or of birds singing, can be particularly
helpful.

Recording materials

Writing: Paper of all sizes, from notes to flipchart and rolls of brown
paper. Post-it Notes of all different sizes. White-boards too (best is full-wall
whiteboard). Magnetic whiteboards allow things to be tacked on with magnets.
Pens and pencils to suit. All different types and sizes. Including children's
felt-tips and wax crayons. Also include paints.

Recording kit: If it works for you, then being able to video-record
your creative sessions may help to capture the mood and the thinking. Videos
can also be used to create scenarios of situations you want to engender
further afield.

Audio recording: Audio recording can also be used, especially if
you are 'just talking'.

Tools and materials

There are many tools and materials you can put into thinking spaces that can
be used to enhance the creative environment. Some of these include:

Computers: Internet access, intranet access, programs for drawing and
writing. Also include a variety of games.

Modeling materials: These can be used for random
doodling or more focused
modeling exercises. You can provide children's modeling clay
(and sculpting tools), wood (balsa is
good), wire, pins, clips, glue, nails and so on. A toolkit for cutting,
grabbing, bending, hammering can also be helpful.

Your own space

Outside of the working environment, you can create your own space at home or
wherever you have some private space. Many authors and artists have cozy
hideaways where they keep their creative kit always out and ready.

This space can be customized in any way you please. The above discussion can
help and you can also invent and experiment further. Try different furnishings,
different colors, different stimulations. And then
use what works.